Hotwire Hotel: 4* Chicago (Magnificent Mile Area - River North) Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront

[M_A_G_G_I]

My travel dates are:

09/28/13 to 10/02/13

And I'm looking for a room for 3 people.

The cheapest 4* Hotel near Magnificient Mile for 151$ has pretty good ratings.

And the tripadvisor rating leads me to believe that this could be either the Palomar or Westin.

4-star Hotel in Magnificent Mile Area - River North

Recommended:

In 95% of Hotwire customer reviews. (30+ total reviews)

And 4.5 out of 5.0 points on tripadvisor

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Free Internet

Pet friendly

Boutique Hotel

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

PS: I compared the prices for 3 or 4 persons and they are the same.

Can I safely book for 4 persons (to ensure a bigger room) and then only show up with 3 persons?

[AaronJB]

This would likely be the Wyndham Grand Riverfront (formerly Hotel 71.) If you are seeing the same price for 4 vs 3, I'd indicate 4.

Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[M_A_G_G_I]

But the Wyndham Grand Riverfront is listed as a 3.5* at HOTWIRE vacations.

[thereuare]

HOTWIRE's Vacation product is powered by Expedia and therefore uses their star ratings... HOTWIRE's vaction product star ratings and the star ratings available on the opaque side do not necessarily have to be the same.

I agree that the above is more likely the Wyndham Grand Riverfront.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[M_A_G_G_I]

Got exactly what I expected :D

(and of course used the forum HOTWIRE links)

@AaronJB

Maybe you could give some suggestions for good cafés and restaurants in this location ;)

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Nice win for this property during a busy period.

I'd be happy to suggest dining options nearby - what are you looking for in terms of style, atmosphere, etc in terms of restaurants?

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[M_A_G_G_I]

What bakeries or cafés are close?

As a German who visits the US for the first time I want to try out a typical American breakfast :)

And I don't want to eat at the hotel, because it's probably not worth the money.

And for restaurants I definately want to go to a good steak restaurant.

Then maybe try the typical Chicago deep pizza.

And is there any place that is said to serve the best burgers? Or maybe a typical American Diner?

[AaronJB]

Various thoughts:

HOTWIRE and PRICELINE reservations are not eligible for upgrades. HOWEVER: in this case I'd suggest writing or asking at check-in to see if there was any way you could get a river view room. Worst they could say is no.

Pizza: "Deep dish" is popular in Chicago and I think my view is that some of the restaurants are busy during prime periods to the point where the experience isn't enjoyable, particularly Uno's, which can get cramped (and there's definitely a line at times) during the busiest periods. If you do try deep dish, I'd suggest Lou Malnati's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/lou-malnatis-pizzeria-chicago). I think my view of "deep dish" is this: I have to be in the mood for it. I often recommend La Madia (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/la-madia-chicago?select=2C4iapsDBRzgcukz_jAobw#zqceZRRtEULmNuAuHkr7fQ) for pizza and their thin crust just has a great depth and detail of flavor, not to mention tons of different options:

RED

Three Cheese | Mozzarella, Provolone & Pecorino with Tomato Sauce 12

Housemade Fennel Sausage & Sweet Onions | Tomato Sauce with Mozzarella Cheese 15

Triple Pepperoni | Tomato Sauce & Mozzarella Cheese, finished with White Truffle Oil 17

Margherita | Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Tomato Sauce & Torn Basil 17

Parma Classic | Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Prosciutto, finished with Arugula 17

La Quercia Coppa Piccante | Fire-Roasted Sweet Banana Pepper & Onions 15

WHITE

Shaved Artichoke | Reggiano Parmesan & Garlic 13

Slagel Farm Wood Smoked Porkbelly | Tuscan Kale, Garlic, Carmalized Onion, Caciocavallo Cheese 14

Carbonara | ?Slagel Farm Guanciale, Cracked Organic Egg & Melted Leeks 16

Seasonal Wild Mushrooms & Smoked Mozzarella 14

Taleggio & 3-Hour Roasted Grapes 13

Laura Chenel Goat Cheese | Melted Leeks, Garlic & Pancetta Lardons 15

Sopresatta & Fire-Roasted Fennel | Arugula, Parmesan 14

Cracked Organic Egg | Prosciutto & Black Pepper 17

Housemade Lamb Sausage | Fresno Peppers, Caciocavallo Cheese & Mint Pesto 16

Clam & Fresno Chilies | Pecorino, Garlic & Fresh Thyme 17

Burrata & Fire-Roasted Nichols Farm Summer Squash | Mozzarella Cheese & Cherry Tomato 18

Spinach | Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Goat Cheese 14

http://www.dinelamadia.com/menu.php

There is actually a pizza tour: http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicago-pizza-tours-chicago - I haven't done it, but it certainly seems to get excellent reviews.

There are a number of breakfast options within decent walking distance, some particularly close. The trio that come to mind would be Wildberry (newer and very popular - http://www.yelp.com/biz/wildberry-cafe-chicago), the Pittsfield Cafe (an old-school Chicago diner in the Pittsfield building - cash only http://www.yelp.com/biz/pittsfield-cafe-chicago) or the Rick Bayless casual offering Xoco (http://www.yelp.com/biz/xoco-chicago).

If you are looking for a breakfast treat, somewhat of a trek NW (although not that bad of a walk) is the Doughnut Vault (http://thedoughnutvault.tumblr.com/), but that is cash only and they sell until they run out. It's a bit of a trek North of downtown, but the Old Town area has a lovely bakery in La Fournette (http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-fournette-chicago) This is near the Zoo, the Old Town area and the Chicago History Museum, so can be combined with other things if you are going to the Zoo, for example.

In terms of steaks, I'd recommend Gene and Georgetti (http://www.geneandgeorgetti.com/ - great old-fashioned steakhouse), Keefers (http://www.keefersrestaurant.com/index.html), Wildfire (which is part of the area's Lettuce Entertain You chain of various restaurants; not the city's best, but good, less expensive.)

As for burgers,Hackney's in the Printer's Row area is a nice low-key burger stop - while not the best, Hackney's is good and has become sort of an institution in the area. Their loaf of fried onion rings is also popular. I've also had success with burgers at Wildfire locations.

I'll add more later, but thought I'd start with this list.